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Friday, 31 December 2010

LIVERPOOL BOSS ROY HODGSON WALKS ALONE

ROY HODGSON is on borrowed time at ­Liverpool with the owners running out of patience at the team’s continued slump and his ­disintegrating ­relationship with the supporters
Manager Hodgson’s position is increasingly fragile after the embarrassing 1-0 home defeat by Wolves led to sardonic chants of “Hodgson for England” and the Kop demanding Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish be installed as an interim measure.
Hodgson’s blunt response in calling for the fans to start backing the team has further alienated him from the club’s sceptical fan base and is said to be perceived as an error of judgment by the Fenway Sports Group headed by John W Henry.
Principal owner Henry and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner recently gave Hodgson their backing and believe he inherited a dysfunctional squad that is overhyped and overpaid.
To that end, one senior Anfield official, chief scout Eduardo Macia, will leave today by mutual consent.
Yet it is Hodgson who is in the glare of the spotlight and, with Liverpool languishing in 12th place
just three points above the relegation zone and with some testing fixtures to come, the support of FSG is not unconditional.
Liverpool face a hectic run of five games in 16 days, beginning against Bolton tomorrow and with a trip to Manchester United in the FA Cup and the Merseyside derby at home to Everton also looming.
Henry and Werner would ideally want to persist with Hodgson, but know their hand could be forced if the downturn in results continues.
They are not sold on the idea of an interim appointment but Dalglish would allow them breathing space to ensure they do not rush into one of the most important decisions in the club’s recent history.